VietNamNet Bridge – The days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) are the busiest for residents of Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta craft villages, as demand for traditional specialties spike.

Lai Vung nem. (Photo: Internet)

Villagers in Lai Vung nem (fermented pork roll) craft village in Dong Thap Province's Lai Vung District are working overtime to ensure adequate supply as orders for the product skyrocket.

Nguyen Thanh Tho, owner of a production establishment in the village called Giao Tho, said work goes on all year, with the New Year holidays being the peak season.

An increasing number of people are becoming fond of Lai Vung fermented pork roll, he said.

However, despite higher demand during the New Year, prices remain unchanged, with 10 small, medium, and large rolls priced at VND12,000, VND14,000, and VND20,000.

Duong Tien Hai, owner of a dried shrimp and fish making establishment in Tra Vinh Province, said initially he had been apprehensive about making large quantities this year due to the economic situation.

But, surprisingly, demand has increased sharply recently, forcing his establishment to work under pressure to meet it, he said.

It plans to make more than 10 tonnes of dried shrimp and fish this New Year and sell at prices 10-30 per cent higher than last year, he said.

Similarity, producers of banh tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake), a festive favourite, are working hard to meet demand.

Mai Hoang Ly, a producer based in Tra Vinh Province's Cau Ngang District, said orders, particularly for delivery a day or two before Tet, are increasing.

Customers from as far away as Dong Nai and Khanh Hoa provinces have placed orders, she said.

Despite higher costs during the New Year, her establishment has kept prices unchanged at around VND50,000-60,000 each, she said.

Apart for domestic consumption, a variety of Tet specialties, including My Long banh trang (southern-style rice paper) and Son Doc banh phong (glutinous rice cracker) are also exported for consumption by Vietnamese living abroad.

Nguyen Thi Kim Hoang, a big producer of southern-style rice papers in My Long craft village in Ben Tre Province, said her establishment has enlarged capacity to 1,500-2,000 a day but still cannot meet demand.

According to the People's Committee of My Thanh Commune in Ben Tre Province's Giong Trom District, authorities have told more than 160 makers to keep prices unchanged and ensure quality.

Tran Quoc Tuan, deputy director of the Tra Vinh Province Department of Industry and Trade, said more and more producers in trade villages are investing in technology and so their products are improving.

Industry and trade departments in the Mekong Delta provinces said from now through New Year's Eve, demand for the Tet specialties would continue to increase.

They promised to monitor prices and hygiene and safety to protect consumers.

Source: VNS